Lifespan

7??-ca. 740 B.C.

Ministry

Eighth century B.C. (the latter part of Jeroboam II’s reign). Hosea was the only northern kingdom prophet who left written prophecies that became part of an Old Testament book. Hosea preceded Isaiah by only a few years.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Hosea seeks and receives revelation from God about his personal life and his prophetic ministry, and they are closely connected. His story is complex and passionate, and so is his relationship with God. But in all things, Hosea is obedient and seeks forgiving above retribution, for he seems to have learned through his experience with God’s instruction that kindness and grace are more powerful than judgment.

Social Situation

Israel is surrounded by two powerful nations, Assyria and Egypt. As a small border country, Israel attempts to survive by negotiation and by playing off one powerhouse against the other. Furthermore, the spiritual foundation of the country is being challenged by the more sensual and earthy Baal worship of local fertility cults. Hosea’s message is that if the people (and their leaders) will just remain true to their God, all will be well. By “prostituting” themselves for political reasons, they reject the one force that can preserve them: their bridegroom, even the great Jehovah.

Key Teachings

Hosea’s principal teachings dealt with the love of God that God has for his people.

Hosea’s writings are in some ways unusual. In them he records God’s commandment to him to marry the adultrous Gomer. They have three children together, who are not unlike their mother. His family relationships form a close allegory to what is going on in the nation, for the people reject God, attempt to repent, fall into Baal worship, and yet God loves His family (Israel) nonetheless, even as Hosea loves his unfaithful wife and children.

Prophecies of Christ

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1).

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction” (Hosea 13:14).

Living with the Prophet

Hosea’s story includes the story of his marriage to a wife who was at times unfaithful to him. Despite her unfaithfulness to him, he loved her. Sometimes those who are close to us do things that may hurt us. How will we react to that? Will we return the hurt, or will we react in a more Christlike way? If you have been hurt by someone you love, resolve to invite God into your heart in determining how you will react to that hurt.

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Hosea, the Book of”

Holy Bible, the book of Hosea